In support of developing emerging rodeo talent, the Calgary Stampede will once again present the 2026 Novice Tour featuring Novice Bareback Riding, Novice Saddle Bronc Riding, and Jr. Steer Riding. Spanning various events across the rodeo season, the tour creates a clear pathway for novice athletes to qualify for the Novice competitions at the 2026 Calgary Stampede Rodeo. Details on qualifying events and additional information about the Novice Tour and Stampede Novice events can be found below.
If you have any questions, please email rodeo@calgarystampede.com
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Event Details
The Novice Tour is an opportunity for young Bareback and Saddle Bronc riders to qualify to compete at the 2026 Calgary Stampede Rodeo.
- Novice Bareback Riding, Novice Saddle Bronc Riding and Jr. Steer Riding will take place respectively during the rodeo on performances 1-9 as the 3rd event.
- Championship Presentations on stage following the Steer Wrestling every third performance
- All competitors will be expected to attend the contestant meeting
- Free meal for competitor and guest at contestant hosting area before the Rodeo each day
Contestant cannot qualify through participation points (25 per ride) only. Competitors must record a minimum of two qualified rides in The Calgary Stampede Novice Tour to be eligible to compete at The Calgary Stampede.
Stampede Officials shall in their absolute discretion have the right at any time to add or adjust rules or qualifications in order to clarify or address a circumstance or action not previously outlined.
Non CPRA Events
Aggie Days (Calgary, AB) – April 15 – 17, 2026
- Entries: April 1 - 4, 2026
- ENTRY: Email your full name, hometown, phone number and proof of age to: rodeo@calgarystampede.com
- Added Money: $4,000.00 combined for Bareback and Saddle Bronc. Payout split for Bareback and Saddle Bronc will be based on number of entries in each event.
- Entry Fees: $50.00
Hand Hills Roughstock Jackpot (Hand Hills Lake, AB) - May 29
- Entries TBC
Brooks Colt Buck (Brooks, AB) – June 11, 2026
- Entries: May 26 – 29, 2026
- ENTRY: Email your full name, hometown, phone number and proof of age to: rodeo@calgarystampede.com
- Added Money: $3,000.00
- Entry Fees: $50.00
CPRA EVENTS
Entries completed through CPRA. Please confirm with CPRA information for entries and event details (rodeocanada.com). Event dates are listed below.
- Hand Hills – May 30 - 31
- Lea Park – June 5 - 7
- Wildwood (SB only) – June 20
- Sundre – June 18 – 21
Calgary Stampede Rodeo - July 3 - 12, 2026
- Novice Bareback Riding will consist of 8 competitors on performances 1 and 2 (July 3 & 4, 2026) with the finals on day 3 (July 5, 2026) featuring the top 4 competitors in the average from the first two rounds.
- Novice Saddle Bronc Riding will consist of 8 competitors on performances 4 and 5 (July 6 & 7, 2026) with the finals on day 6 (July 8, 2026) featuring the top 4 competitors in the average from the first two rounds.
- Jr. Steer Riding will consist of 8 competitors on performances 7 and 8 (July 9 & 10, 2026) with the finals on day 9 (July 11, 2026) featuring the top 4 competitors in the average from the first two rounds.
- Contestants will advance to the Championship Round based on the 2 long round average
- Champion will be decided by a 3 head average
- $35,400.00 CAN prize payout in total.
Junior Steer Riding
- Top 8 from the 2026 CPRA Standings as of June 23, 2026
- Drop Down at the discretion of The Calgary Stampede
Novice Bareback and Novice Saddle Bronc
- 2025 National High School Rodeo Assn Champion – drop down until filled. If not filled by May 1 the position will be filled at The Calgary Stampede’s discretion
- 2025 National High School Rodeo Assn Reserve Champion – drop down until filled. If not filled by May 1 the position will be filled at The Calgary Stampede’s discretion
- Top 6 from the 2026 Calgary Stampede Tour
- Dropdown at the discretion of the Calgary Stampede
- In order to compete in the two novice events of saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, contestants must be over 16 years of age and under 21 years as of December 31, of the year prior to membership year in question.
- Contestants may not have filled a Pro Card in the Novice event they are competing in at the Calgary Stampede.
- Contestants must be a current card holding member of an amateur rodeo association or a CPRA Novice card holder.
- In order to compete in the two novice events of saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, contestants must be over 16 years of age and under 21 years as of December 31, of the year prior to membership year in question.
- In order to compete in the Steer Riding you must be over 11 years of age as of December 31st, 2026 and under 15 years of age as of December 31, 2026.
Payout Per Event
1st - $4,000.00 5th - $700.00
2nd - $2,500.00 6th - $700.00
3rd - $1,500.00 7th - $700.00
4th - $1,000.00 8th - $700.00
Total per Event - $11,800.00
Total Novice/JSR Prize Payout: $35,400.00
Brooks, Aggie Days, Hand Hills, Colt Buck, Lea Park, Wildwood (Bronc Riding only), Sundre
- 25 points per head plus score. CS may limit the number of trips per event that will count towards Novice Tour standings
- Contestants enter by contacting Calgary Stampede Ag & Western Events Office - rodeo@calgarystampede.com
- All competitors are able to enter CS hosted events (exclusive of CPRA events). If entries exceed capacity it is at the discretion of The Calgary Stampede to whom will be drawn out.
- Contestants must comply with CPRA rules for eligibility and entry for all CPRA events which are part of the Novice Tour
- Open positions for Qualification to the Calgary Stampede will be filled at The Calgary Stampede’s discretion
- Calgary Stampede, at its discretion may adjust framework and format of the Novice Tour.